Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT 7-Inch Flagship In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm glad I didn't read the review here before I bought this unit, or I'd have missed out on what is for me a great unit. Let me address the previous review line by line with the differences I see.
- no support for cd changers but many feel that because of usb drives and ipods, changers are legacy...whatever!
What's a CD? Does anybody use them anymore? :)
- touch screen has a sweet spot that is small and off-center so it's easy to make the wrong selection and have to waste time on a redo...
Haven't noticed it yet. There is a calibration for the screen that needs/can be done so maybe that would fix your issue.
- no IR functionality which means wireless remotes cannot be used and this unit really needs one...
I never liked remotes in a car. I've had three head units that had remotes, including the one I just took out. Never put a battery in them. The head unit is arms length away, the remote is under the seat, stuck to a french fry, whatever. What is the remote for? I know some people like them, I just never have.
- xm works great BUT xm traffic is not supported, only msn direct...
Yeah, XM traffic would be better. MSN is a no go. Per their website they are shutting down the service. However, all the online reviews of this unit say getting the MSN is a no brainer, that it's data in invaluable. Go figure.
- no exterior mute button....
Hold down the voice prompt button and it mutes. I luckily noticed this in the manual when I was perusing it during the install.
- installing the hd radio module disables regular am/fm functionality...
Hmm, that's odd. I asked about it and wasn't told this was an issue. I didn't get HD radio so I cannot comment.
- route guidance has no introductory statement to start your route, you just start driving and eventually it begins giving directions...
Good. The less it talks the better. I have people in the car, the telephone going, stuff to remember to do. Just tell me where to turn already, skip the rest.
- route guidance audio does not identify by exit number, street or exit name, just take next and you must look at screen for what next is...
Hmm, good point. I didn't think about this before. I guess refer to the point above for me. Just keep me from blasting by the turn. I'll handle the rest. The road, distance, and direction of turn are on screen.
- last unit i had gave me my vehicle speed as well as the current posted speed limit, this unit gives neither...
Agreed! Sorta. I love having the GPS speed on screen for some strange reason. The GPS speed is available on a setup/calibration screen, but not on the main screen to my knowledge. I guess I can get my GPS calculated speed fix there. As for the speed limit on the GPS, I think I'll trust the handy dandy signs that were happily stuck in the ground for my personal amusement along the side of the road.
- adding a route is real work. to start a route you must type each and every complete word exactly, it does not help you complete words with suggested common choices nor is it flexible when searching...
Type in part of the word and hit enter, it'll show the most likely matches. The route seemed perfectly easy to enter to me, and thank God, the keyboard layout is a QWERTY so you know where the letter is without singing the alphabet song.
- when recalculating a route, it says nothing and starts the process very slowly.
Again, thank God. Say less, do more. I hate it when you are going off route manually and you don't want to key in your change. "Recalculating route....Recalculating route...etc, etc until you give in and either cancel the route or get through your detour."
- there is a search by address voice function, but it's slow and awkward, using it is a real struggle...
All voice commands are slow and awkward to me. I've been amazed at how accurate this thing has been so far.
- no voice commands for basics such as "go home", "cancel route", etc. so you must touch screen through several menu layers for them...
I haven't tried this yet. Go home should be a voice command. I agree. Good points. I did take the time to setup my custome home screen. It has icons for cancel route and go home so they are right there on the home screen. Nice.
POI TRULY SUCKS...
I already tried some POIs. They were not in there as often as I'd like so I agree. But, via the SD card you can load POIs so I'll give it a pass. If it's something I need I'll load it. If not, oh well. I can always look up the address. I did take the time to load some POIs just to see how this worked. I now have every Hooters in the US on my GPS. Sorta overkill as I really don't like chicken wings that much but considering how easy it was to add thousands of esoteric POI waypoints, I think it would be hard to knock what they have built in.
So far, this unit has been pretty much everything I wanted. I pulled out and replaced a Clarion 675 VXD with this Pioneer. It's so much better than the Clarion it's hard to imagine. Everything works as it's supposed to on the Pioneer. Not so on the Clarion. And Pioneer is using Parrott's bluetooth technology. I love Parrott.
I do have a couple of squawks that aren't mentioned previously. The unit, like everything in this country today, has a legal warning. Of course, somebody lost a lawsuit somewhere along the way and not only do we have to agree not to be stupid once, we now have to agree every time the unit boots. I've sort of resigned myself to this fact of life, however, there is a quirk with the Pioneer. Until you ok the legal screen, some of the functionality doesn't work. The iPod voice recognition it does at every boot up doesn't start until you have clicked ok and if you have just updated your iPod this VR load can take several minutes. If you are on the audio screen, as I often am, the warning screen doesn't appear. It's a navigation warning screen, so audio is playing from your last song but the unit is effectively nerfed until you click ok, no VR load, no audio commands, etc. The backup camera does work and it does immediately, which is good. It can be frustrating to jump in the car, fire up and want to start a phone conversation right away but the voice commands won't work till the VR load finishes, the VR load won't start till you click ok, and none of that will start till you click ok on the nav screen which probably isn't up and running. It would be nice if after 30 seconds you haven't clicked ok, it just times out and starts it's normal process or if the warning screen would pop up over navigation and audio so you can click ok. (Update to this note.) Turns out the issue above is actually a quirk of my installation. We may have accidentally performed a work around to eliminate the speed sensing ability of the Pioneer, which would enable the use of the navigation system, and video playback, while the vehicle is in motion. The issue I noted above is a side effect of this work around. Out of the box, this issue apparently does not exist, but you cannot use the navigation system above 10mph, which is in itself annoying in my opinion.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT 7-Inch Flagship In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and Bluetooth

The AVIC-Z110BT is Pioneer's flagship in-dash navigation system, and comes with the works. Simultaneously access mapping and route guidance information; enjoy various forms of audio and video entertainment; control an Apple iPod/iPhone and a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone with natural voice commands; and receive updated traffic, weather and local event information via an optional MSN Direct tuner. The AVIC-Z110BT navigation system features a large motorized 7-inch touch panel display, CD/DVD Video playback, built-in Bluetooth and a customizable touch screen interface for quick access to frequently used features.

Key reasons to upgrade from AVIC-X910BT:
Powerful processor with video accelerator
New Customizable Shortcut Menu
Larger 7" display (WVGA high-resolution)
Motorized Display with Automatic Display Positioning (5 settings)
High-Volt Preouts x3 (4 Volt) for clean, powerful signal to optional amplifiers
7-Band Graphic Equalizer provides more precise audio tuning control
Bluetooth Audio Streaming (A2DP and AVRCP)
Navigation destination entry by Voice Control (Address Search, POI selection by category or brand name)
Background processing of Voice Recognition (VR) Cataloging
City Map display
5 Simultaneous route calculation
Road Preference routing and Intelligent Re-Route
Brand Icon POI's
Optional Mexico Map (CNSD-OMM013)
Fuel Cost Routing & Report
Dual Zone Audio/Video
Advanced A/V Codec with additional formats (WMV and H.264) for USB/SD Card playback


The Last Word in Navigation The line of AVIC-Z products have long been considered the last word in navigation, and this year, the AVIC-Z110BT stays true to its Pioneer heritage with its high performance features. Out of the box, this system comes with 12 million points of interest and a massive map database to help you find the nearest destination. The built-in Text-to-Speech engine clearly pronounces turn-by-turn direction and street names to ensure smooth travels.
The AVIC-Z110BT also offers a wide variety of map views tailored to different driving experiences. For example, "Rear View" allows you to watch your cargo in tow with your optional back-up camera while simultaneously being able to view the map. High-resolution 2D and 3D maps provide renderings of nearby landmarks and terrain to help you navigate the world around you. The Z's high-powered graphics processor and precision-guided GPS sensor deliver stunningly detailed mapping with amazing accuracy.
Pioneer's AVIC-Z110BT takes convenience to the next level with voice-activated navigation. You can simply input an address by voice or find a place to re-fuel by saying, "Find the nearest gas station" or "Find the nearest McDonalds".

AVIC FEEDS for iPhone now available Unleash the power of your Pioneer navigation system with the AVIC FEEDS for iPhone application. Find a destination, then transfer it to your Pioneer navigation system for turn-by-turn routing.
Bridge the Gap Start Planning your route before you even step into your car with the free AVIC FEEDS app. Now you can seamlessly use your iPhone with your Pioneer navigation receiver. Simply find your destination with the built-in Google Maps interface and transfer it via Bluetooth for easy, turn-by-turn directions.
Picture Yourself There The AVIC FEEDS app also allows you to use the geo-tag data in your photos to be routed directly to places you've visited. The built-in GPS feature of iPhone 3G and 3GS has the ability to embed geo-tag information in the photos you take with its camera. AVIC FEEDS allows you to save destinations by reading these geo-tags. You can also use AVIC FEEDS to create destinations from geo-tagged photos that are sent to your iPhone.

Your iPod (and iPhone) Will Thank You On top of being an exceptional navigator, the AVIC-Z series delivers an iPod experience that blows away FM transmitters or cassette adaptors. Even at the first glance, you will fall in love with the easy-to-use touch screen controls for your music and brilliant 7-inch display for your videos. Album art is also beautifully displayed.
With the optional cable (CD-IU50V) connected to your iPod, you will notice how easily you can find songs, videos, artists, or playlists with a few simple taps of your finger. Pioneer has also created powerful searching tools such as Link Play and Alphabet Search to help you find content faster.
The AVIC-Z110BT also features voice-activated control of your iPod. Simply say the name of an artist, album, playlist, or genre to bring up the next song.

Ditch the Headset with Built-in Bluetooth Take incoming calls through the AVIC-Z110BT, and be heard clearly without a headset courtesy of Bluetooth technology. Connecting your compatible phone is easy and gives you instant touch screen access to your contacts. You can also dial a contact with the sound of your voice by simply saying "Call Jack Smith."

Customize and Colorize This all-new AVIC-Z110BT features a revolutionary touch screen interface that let's you build your own home screen with the navigation, multi-media and Bluetooth functions that your use most. Simply drag and drop a function's icon in the menu to create up to 15 shortcuts within your home screen.
You can further customize the navigation receiver by adjusting button illumination color to match the interior of your car, or by uploading your own boot-up screen photo.

Get Connected with MSN Direct With the optional tuner (ND-MDT10), access up-to-date information from MSN Direct on your AVIC-Z110BT. MSN Direct is the ultimate in-car convenience, offering news, traffic, stock quotes, weather, movie times, and gas prices. Because MSN Direct can work seamlessly with system's navigation, you can be routed directly to a theater after finding the right show time, or have traffic flow overlayed on your route.
Enjoy MSN Direct free for the first three months when you add Pioneer's optional tuner (ND-MDT10) to the AVIC-Z110BT.

The Freedom of Speech Navigation functions, iPod audio control and hands-free Bluetooth calling can all be controlled with the sound of your voice. Voice-activated control over your navigation system not only performs in-car tasks with greater speed, but helps you keep your eyes (and attention) on the road ahead.

Media Mogul Built to navigate, but born to entertain, the AVIC-Z110BT offers audio and video playback from the most popular formats. Whether you're watching DivX files on DVD, H.264 video on SD card or iTunes AAC files on CD, there are dozens of playback options for your favorite media. You will also appreciate the Z's ability to simultaneously entertain your front and back seat passengers with two different audio and video sources using Dual Zone functionality.

Audiophile-grade Sound Architecture Just because the AVIC-Z110BT features one of the most robust navigation platforms in the industry, doesn't mean it holds back on high-end sound quality. With 3 sets of hi-volt (4V) pre-outs, custom designed power supply capacitors and a 7-band graphic equalizer, you can build a massive system worthy of hi-fi listening.

Expanded Listening The AVIC-Z110BT gives you plenty of room to expand your broadcast options. With optional tuners, experience the vast channel selection of XM Sirius Satellite Radio and HD Radio.
What's in the Box AVIC-Z110BT main unit, Power cord, Connector Extension lead (for reverse signal), Extension lead (for speed signal), GPS antenna, RCA connector, USB connector, Microphone

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Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter and Auto Charger for Sansa Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We have used this unit in Chicago, Los Angeles, and on road trips. It works well, so long as you can find a clear channel. The unit works best when it is set to the middle channel of three clear channels in a row, so that the transmitter has a clear channel on either side of it. That's pretty hard to find in a major metropolitan area, so performance sometimes suffers. On rural highways (where we use it the most) clear channels are much easier to find, and performance is much better.

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Griffin 9212-Snsata2 Itrip Auto Fm Transmitter & Car Charger For Sansacombination Auto Charger & Fm Transmitter Large, Easy To Read Backlit Lcd Screen ; 4 User Definable Presets ; Selectable Dx & Lx Modes For Best-Quality Audio; Compatible With Sansa Connect, Sansa E200 & C200

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Ramsey FM30B Digital FM Stereo Transmitter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Excellent sound quality: no whistling, no microphonics, no noise, frequencies are dead-on and do not drift, good enough to listen to over a serious hi-fi system. Not only will it fill your house with its signal, it will fill half the neighborhood unless you turn the power down. It seems the market for the transmitter includes drive-in movies who use it to broadcast the sound track to a few acres of cars. The circuitry has obviously been designed by someone who knows their way around radio transmitters, this is very solid gear, you won't find better.
Now the downside:
-- You better like putting together Heatkits and can tell a 22K resistor from a 22uH choke. A temperature controlled soldering iron, micro-cutters, fine needle-nose pliers and desoldering braid (for correcting the inevitable mistake) would be good things to have.
-- Even with the best soldering equipment, expect soldering to be a bit of a trial: the multi-layer circuit board does not have thermal reliefs on the pads connecting to the ground plane; lots of luck desoldering same...

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The FM30B is designed using through-hole technology and components and is available only as a do-it-yourself kit, with a 25mW output. It is designed around an RF tight vinyl clad metal enclosure for noise free and interference free operation. Enter the setup mode from the front panel and step through the menu to make all of your adjustments. A two line LCD display shows you all the settings! In addition to the LCD display, a front panel LED indicates the PLL lock so you know you are transmitting. Besides frequency selection, front panel control and display gives you 256 steps of audio volume as well as RF output power. A separate balance setting compensates for left/right differences in audio level. The LCD display shows you "Quality of Signal" to help you set your levels for optimum sound quality. All settings are stored in the non-volatile memory for future use! The design includes EMI filters on line level audio and power inputs, and a state of the art microstrip PCB inductor to reduce microphonics for the ultimate in alignment free operation. RF output is through a professional well shielded rear panel BNC connector for a perfect antenna match. Standard RCA connectors are used for left and right line level audio inputs. The FM30B operates on a 13.8 to 16VDC and includes a 15VDC plug in power supply. The metal case measures 5.55"W x 6.45"D x 1.5"H.(Note: The FM30B is a do-it-yourself learning kit that you assemble. The end user is responsible for complying with all FCC rules & regulations within the US, or any regulations of their respective governing body)

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Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I use this with my phone -- Sony Ericsson w850i. Now whem i use the stereo buds that comes in the package -- sound quality is pretty good. I also tried it with Sony MDR-EX81LP Bud-Style Stereo Earphones -- and it sounded even better.
However this bluetooth baby is a different storey altogether. Sound quality is noticably (U'll have to be deaf no to notice!) lower. There is no BASS (forget Mega Bass). Further you notice that the range is distinctly lesser.
If you listen to more that 2-3 hours of music the battery will die on you, And it ain't fun carrying arround the charger. If you use this while jogging, well connectivity will go on and off quite often.
Also the functions like controling volume, fwding tracks will not synchronice between the devices too well.
However it is quite attractive accessory to wear. Operations are simple.
So if you want a simple wireless device to answer calls, and may be listen to music once in a blue moon, you may like this. However if you'r a serious music lover -- STAY AWAY FROM THIS!

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Enjoy both handsfree communication on the goo and wireless stereo music from your Bluetooth-compatible cell phone (or PDA or PC) with the Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970. Enjoy excellent audio quality for stereo music and call handling with fast automatic volume adjustment and Digital Signal Processing (DSP). And when the phone rings, a glance at the display reveals the name or number of your caller, allowing you to choose to accept or reject the call. Note that Bluetooth wireless stereo music streaming requires your cell phone to have the A2DP Bluetooth profile embedded in it (see Tech Talk section below).
With the HBH-DS970, you can listen to more music with less chance of missing a call. The multipoint function--which connects to two wireless devices simultaneously--enables you to listen to the music files from a computer, PDA or other Bluetooth devices while remaining connected to their mobile phone, staying available for every call. Using the intuitive display hanging lightly around the neck, the phone can stay in the pocket while the user handles calls, chooses music or adjusts the volume.
Music and voice gets transmitted from your phone or device and received by the HBH-DS970 control pod, which is worn like a lanyard around your neck and which includes an LCD and controls (play/pause, changing tracks, and volume). A cord extends from the control pod to two earbud-style headphones, with the call button placed just below the left earpiece and a microphone placed below the right. Three sizes of rubber eartips are included for an optimal fit.
Features
Remote control your music The Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970 uses Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), a Bluetooth profile that enables you to control the music player on your phone via your Stereo Bluetooth Headset HBH-DS970.

Automatic volume adjustment Walk into a noisy environment and the volume adjusts automatically in less than a second.

Last Number re-dial Keep your phone in your pocket and double click the key on your Bluetooth headset to call the number you last dialed. Get in touch fast and easily.

Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) AFH reduces the impact of interference between wireless technologies, resulting in excellent audio quality.

Digital Signal Processing Enhanced audio quality is achieved through Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology, including compression and echo cancellation.

Multipoint Connect to two wireless devices simultaneously, allowing access to the music files in your computer, PDA or other Bluetooth

Auto pairing A feature that makes pairing the device with your Bluetooth mobile phone faster and simpler by dropping the PIN code without compromising security-equipped devices.

Specifications
Size (control pod): 2.9 inches
Weight: 1 ounce
Range: 10 meters (30 feet)
Bluetooth technology: Version 2.0
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control of music player on your phone)
Talk time: Up to 6 hours
Standby time: Up to 300 hours

Tech Talk: Bluetooth Audio Streaming Bluetooth technology uses low-powered, low-frequency radio transmission to link together two devices to exchange voice and audio as well as data such as contact info from your phonebook and photos sent to a printer. The key to unlocking the veritable Swiss Army Knife of wireless functionality is to make sure your cell phone or device includes the right Bluetooth "profiles," as not every phone has the same profiles.
For streaming stereo music from your phone to a pair of headphones, make sure it has the A2DP (or Advanced Audio Distribution) profile embedded within its specfications. To take advantage of the remote controls on this headphone, the cell phone should also have the AVRCP (Audio Video Control) profile.
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 2.0, which provides faster throughput and less of a chance of buffering. To achieve these speeds, your cell phone must also have Bluetooth 2.0, but these headphones are still compatible with cell phones with Bluetooth version 1.2.

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JVC KD-R810 30K Color-Illumination Single-DIN CD Receiver with Dual USB 2.0 for iPod/iPhone and Bluetooth Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Needed to replace an older Kenwood unit that got stolen out of my truck and narrowed my selection down to the JVC KD-R810. So far I'm really liking the unit and it only cost a little bit more than the barebones head unit from 5 years ago. Bluetooth works great, more than enough power for my stock speakers and iPod integration is better than most units I've used. iPod browsing is pretty fast and actually usable (which can't be said for the factory media interface in our VW). One of the preset background colors matches the orange/red dash backlighting in my Tacoma exactly, looks really slick. You can mix your own colors if the 30 or so presets don't match.
The only con is that the Bluetooth takes up a USB port leaving one for your iPod/phone/thumb drive. I plugged that one into the front USB port so it'd be easy to take the faceplate off. The rear USB cable got routed through a hole I drilled in the pocket of my dash kit where I can plug in a USB device and not have it dangling off the front of the unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC KD-R810 30K Color-Illumination Single-DIN CD Receiver with Dual USB 2.0 for iPod/iPhone and Bluetooth

JVC's KD-R810 is a USB/CD receiver with plenty of connectivity--connect USB devices and iPod/iPhones using the dual front-panel USB ports, or other devices using the 3.5mm auxiliary input. Bluetooth technology gives you hands-free audio or audio streaming with your cell phone, and expansion options include three preamp outputs and the easy addition of HD or satellite radio. The icing on the cake is JVC's Separated Variable Color, which lets you adjust the receiver's display color to match your vehicle or preference.

Separated Variable Color The KD-R810 features a Full-Dot LCD with JVC's Separated Variable-Color. Personalize your stereo to match your vehicle's interior illumination colors. Separated variable color lets you use two separate colors from a choice of over 30,000 options to create your own color scheme.
Built-in Bluetooth Wireless Technology Drive more safely (or legally depending on where you live) with hands-free calling. The included wired microphone offers flexible settings for clear communication. The Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) for iPhone lets you automatically access your phone book without transfer. You can also manually transfer up to 400 numbers from compatible cell phones. Changing from hands-free to a private conversation can be done by a push of a key. You can also easily switch Bluetoothconnection between 2 phones, such as for business/private use.

CD and USB Audio Play back your favorite CDs and CD-R/RW discs, or go with a USB thumb drive or other USB device for enjoyment of your WAV, MP3, or WMA audio files. You can also pop in a CD-R full of digital audio files if you'd prefer that route.
A TI/Burr-Brown 24-bit converter ensures quality sound, and you can Dial it in to your liking with the three-band parametric EQ.
USB Audio and Video for iPod/iPhone The USB connection for iPod/iPhone provides clear digital sound directly from your iPod or iPhone. While your device is in use, it also receives a charge, so it's ready to step out of the car when you do. Since the KD-R810 features two USB ports, you can connect two different iPods, or a USB device along with an iPod.

With External Mode for iPod, you can also enjoy sound from your favorite iPod/iPhone apps in your vehicle, such as Internet radio, games, video, or navigation apps.
50W x 4 MOSFET Amplifier The built-in 50W x 4 MOSFET amp provides plenty of power, but three 2.5V preamp output terminals are also provided for system building.
Need More Radio? The KD-R810 features an AM/FM radio, with 6 AM and 18 FM presets for instantly accessing your favorites.
You can also add HD or SAT radio in a snap using one of JVC's optional tuners.
Front Auxiliary Input Connect nearly any audio device with the 3.5mm front-panel auxiliary input.
What's in the Box KD-R810 Receiver, Bluetooth Microphone, Sleeve/Trim Ring, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Instruction/Intallation Manuals, Warranty Info

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8-in-1 FM Transmitter for Apple iPhone (1G & 3G) & iPod Nano Video Touch Classic with LED Display + HandsFree + Charger + Remote Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this item primarily to play music off my iPhone 3G through my radio but the transmitter is extremely weak. I live and work in the Los Angeles/Orange County area so the frequencies are pretty jammed packed.
Pros:
- iPhone fits nice and snug
- Easy to set up and plug in
- I drive an older BMW and the location of where this cradle sits is perfect
- Navigation with remote is fast and easy
Cons:
- Weak transmitter, at best, I heard about 5 seconds of music/slight static before it went completely out of range and back again
- I can definitely see myself using this while traveling since I believe once I'm in the open, the frequencies will open up more, but definitely not for city use
- Static/transmitter doesn't improve in airplane mode either
I would definitely keep this if only the transmitter was stronger but alas, I will be returning this item and search for a new FM transmitter for my phone.

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Etycom Headset Pillow Pak Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Due to my line of work, I probably spend 25 hours a week with a headset strapped to my ear. I have tried Plantronics, Nokia, Ericsson, plus a few off-brand models over the years. Etymotic Research makes what are considered to be the Rolls Royce of ear-bud headsets; so when I saw the Ety-Com set on the AAUG review table, I had to give them a try.
As with the isolator line of ear-buds, the Ety-Com's single bud fits into the ear canal. From there, a bendable metal boom, capped with the mic, extends to about mid-cheek. A cord runs from the bud to a 2.5 'micro-mini' stereo plug. This plug is standard for many cell phones and some cordless phone handsets. There is also a built-in clip to secure the cord to your shirt.
When fitting the Ety-Com, I found the best sized ear tip, and followed the instructions for insertion (pre-moisten ear tip, and tug up and back on your ear while inserting - takes two hands).
I tested the Ety-Com with my Sony Ericsson cell phone in a variety of conditions and with a V-Tech cordless telephone at home. I found the sound quality to be clearer than any headset I have ever tried. The sound baffles in the ear tip do a wonderful job of blocking out unwanted outside noise. The end result is that a lower volume level can be used for the call. The clarity was so good, in fact, that I could detect audio artifacts in my cell phone that had gone unnoticed to date. I asked friends and family how I sounded with the Ety-Com, and got favorable responses in all but one instance. The mic did not do too well with the wind noise of an open car window. Although the microphone housing on the end of the boom has two offset sound holes, I'm not sure that this is a truly noise canceling mic. I found this headset to be extremely comfortable. Etymotic has really done their homework on the ear tip design! The only problem I found is that the boom sometimes wants to fall under it's own weight. With other over-the-ear headsets, there is more support to keep the boom from moving. With the Etymotic, the ear gel is the only point-of-contact with your head. When gravity tugs the boom down, the attached ear bud rotates. A work-around is to initially insert the ear tip with the boom higher than needed, then allow it to settle in place. The boom can be reshaped as needed. Use of the supplied shirt clip also helps to mitigate ear bud movement.
I did not try the Ety-Com at work due to an incompatibility with my telephone's Plantronics phone cord. I did find some online sources selling adaptors for $30-40 but have not yet ordered. Also, the Ety-Com is not compatible with my Powerbook for internet chat use. Although it may work by using a 2.5mm female to dual 3.5mm adaptor and a Griffin iMic. I have had some complaints about sound quality using a Bluetooth headset, so I might adapt the Ety-Com for use with iChat or Skype.
Included: Ety-Com headset with 4' cord, shirt clip, four different sized ear tips, one spare filter and filter changing tool, carry case with inside mesh pocket, and documentation.

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The Etymotic hf2 is a high-fidelity hands-free headset that is compatible with the Apple iPhone and other mobile phones. The hf2 earphones are the next best thing to live music, with noise isolation far surpassing that of active noise-canceling earphones. Their external noise exclusion allows you to hear the full dynamic range of recordings without having to play them at unnaturally high and unsafe levels.There is a built-in microphone in the middle of the headset. The microphone features a single button for answering and ending call.For music listening, press first click for music pauses, second click to skip to next track and third click to go back to previous track. With a regular 3.5mm stereo plug, it is compatible with most mobile phones and music players, also. With the response accuracy of a reference level earphones and the highest noise isolation of all competing headsets, this is the best Hands-Free headset period.Transducer type -Balanced armature Sensitivity (1 kHz) -105 dB SPL for a 0.1 VRMS input Impedance -16 Ohms (nominal) Maximum output -120 dB SPL Maximum continuous input -0.55 VRMS Microphone sensitivity --40 dB V/Pa Cable -4 feet Weight -1.3 oz hf2 headset + earphones exclude most external sounds. While driving, always leave one ear open. It is unsafe to use in-ear earphones while operating a motorized vehicle, operating machinery, bicycling or jogging, because you may not be alerted to potential danger.

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